Mendocino County, CA
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Pursuant to County Resolution 4453, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission is now receiving administrative support from the Mendocino County Superior Court.
Please go to the website below for information on the JJDPC, its current meeting schedule, and recruitment information.
https://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/jjdpc
LM-MCJJDPC Annual Report 2021-2022
Mission Statement
The mission and purpose of the Juvenile Justice Commission is to advocate for a quality system of care for involved juvenile offenders; and the Delinquency Prevention Commission is to promote the development of quality services, employment opportunities, and resources for juveniles.
Vision Statement
Creating healthy communities in Mendocino County that value and support youth and work together to support and provide services, education, social activities and employment to reduce juvenile crime and recidivism.
What is the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission?
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission (JJDPC) is chartered by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors (County Ordinance No. 8.20.010) and mandated by the State of California (WIC 225 & 233). The role of the JJDPC is multi-faceted:
- Oversee juvenile justice facilities in the county to ensure that juveniles residing at any county institution or publicly operated juvenile institution are treated fairly and are living in conditions that are safe and clean, and provide healthy food, support and encouragement
- This function of the Commission requires yearly inspections of such facilities.
- Support and encourage individuals, organizations, and institutions that further the work of providing effective, evidence-based practices to help youth stay out of the juvenile justice system
- Encourage coordination and integration of services where possible
- Enhance opportunities for youth success at school and in the community
Commissioners
- John Azzaro, Native Californian and 43 year resident of Mendocino County, CASA volunteer, and Board Chair of Mendocino County Public Broadcasting, with a 40-year background in business, and a life-long interest in criminal justice.
- Libbe Madsen, was a clinical social worker in New York for almost 30 years before returning to California. She is now a mental health counselor at Laytonville High School and a volunteer in local programs that promote a healthy community.
- Noel O´Neill, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and has worked in the public behavioral health system for many years. He is a resident of Willits
- Gary Levenson-Palmer, is a native Californian, resident of Manchester, retired California State Department of Social Services manager with over 35 years of experience in child welfare, foster care programs
- Kate C. Gaston (Chair), is a native Californian, now residing in Mendocino County after developing programs and conducting evaluations in multiple states and nationally for many years in mental health and juvenile justice.
- Other members of the Commission include: Mendocino County Superior Court Judges Honorable Ann C. Moorman; Mendocino County Supervisor Glen McGourty; Mendocino County Juvenile Hall Division Manager David Barrett; Mendocino County Chief Probation Officer Izen Locatelli.
Commission's Current Focus and Efforts
- Perform our inspections in a timely manner, in coordination with County facilities.
- Recruit new Commissioner, in line with new protocols being written by Juvenile Court Administration, to align with California new state regulations.
- Work closely with Juvenile Probation, and Juvenile Hall, and continue to advocate for youth in whatever setting they find themselves.
- Support whenever possible the staff at Juvenile Hall, and provide resources for increased healthy outcomes for the residents.
- Continue to support County youth-led and youth-focused organizations, and include such organizations in future planning and education programs for our community.
- Hold monthly meetings to include presentations for the Commission and the public on youth issues, programs and planning around issues.
- Expand County’s JJDPC connection and programming with other Counties JJDPCs, particularly in Northern California, providing a resource for our county.
- Increase our connection and outreach to Mendocino County’s Schools, and see collaborations that lower truancy and increase youth success.
The Commission continues to be interested in finding means and ways to encourage our community to understand the outcome and effect of trauma on children and youth, to implement programming that is pro-social and brings together the human service community families, schools and youth.